YOUR GIFT OF WORDS

Powered by the gift, your words blew me across
The water's surface quickly, smoothly, and the wind
Of your words filled my sails as I glided gracefully
And peacefully into the safety of the harbor....

The answer was there all along yet it was the
Timing of your words that startled me...gave me
A quick moment of surprise...recognition of a
Deeper truth. Without resistance, I was home!!!

For a few days after that...I closed my eyes
Every time the feeling started to subside and
I could again feel the comfort of your words.
Each time I would catch my breath again,

Excited and joyous...even gleeful. I wanted
To hold onto the simple truth and clarity of
Thought that your words gave me. Your gift
Of words...telling, encouraging and simple.

by Cheryl Ellen Baxter ©

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RELATED SCRIPTURES

This particular poem was written after one of my friends shared some thoughts with me that she had about a situation I'd really been struggling with. We had just had dinner with a few other friends, and afterwards she and I sat in my car and talked before going to our separate homes. Totally unplanned, the conversation penetrated deeply and blessed me so much, that for days I rejoiced in the words she had shared and the new perspective I'd been given.

Speaking encouraging words to each other is so important. I'm not talking about using false words of flattery or telling someone what they want to hear, but seeking to build others up instead of tearing them down. Sometimes we need to confront falsehood, but even then, we should do it in a way that promotes truth and healing without name calling or tearing the other person down.

This is something that I've thought about a lot and have written about it in various poems and stories. I'm not perfect at using words that heal to build others up, but I do know that Jesus is growing me and showing me, how I can better love and encourage others. The scriptures say that the world will know we're Christ's disciples when they see our love for one another.

I encourage you to ask yourself "how am I doing in building others up? Am I being true to what Christ wants of me in loving others?" -- Cheryl
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Proverbs 16:24 -- Pleasant words are a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
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John 13:34-35 -- A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
³⁵ By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
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John 15:12 -- This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
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Galations 5:13 -- For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.